Wunsy the pet parrot saves female owner from terrifying attack in north London park

Traditionally, dogs are considered to be a man’s best friend. But a heroic parrot called Wunsy may have stolen the title after saving its female owner from a terrifying attack.

Rachel Marino, 25, had taken her African Grey parrot for a "walk" in Sunny Hill Park, Hendon, when a man grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her to the ground.

But the attacker was stopped in his tracks after the parrot flapped his wings and squawked, startling the man, who ran off down Great North Road.

Ms Marino and the parrot escaped unscathed and called the police.

She told ITV London: "I just saw him in my peripheral vision and then he came on the path behind me.

"Then as he got closer she kind of turned around and was just watching him and I was like 'It's okay Wunsy, it's fine, it's just someone behind' and then all of a sudden - bam - he just grabbed me round my neck."

She continued: "It all happened so fast...she started flapping around and then he just sprinted off. It's very possible that she slapped him in the face [with her wings] but I can't see behind me so I'll never know."

Police were today appealing for information about the attack, which took place at about 12.30pm on Friday. The man is described as white, aged 25-35, with short fair hair, wearing beige trousers and carrying a black rucksack.

Alert: Wunsy the parrot

Pc Chris Cutmore, of Colindale Police Station, said: "This was a random attack on a woman walking out of a park. Although the parrot Wunsy came to her rescue, we are obviously very keen to trace the suspect and prevent him from attacking anybody else."

African Greys, which can live to at least 60 in captivity, are believed by some experts to be as intelligent as chimpanzees, dolphins and even human toddlers. They are said to be the best mimics of all parrots and are able to associate words with meanings and have an understanding of shape, number and colour.

They are also known to imitate phones ringing, beeping microwaves, doorbells and coughs.

In 1845, American president Andrew Jackson’s pet African Grey Poll was famously removed from his funeral for swearing.

A 26-year-old African Grey parrot called Roy was put on anti-depressants to recover from a state of manic trauma after being trapped in a garage for three years.

Anyone who witnessed Friday’s incident or who has seen the man can call police on 101 quoting reference 2407517/14, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.